Adjusting system and method for square billet continuous casting machine to produce rectangular billets in compatible mode

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of steel smelting, and particularly discloses an adjusting system and method for a square billet continuous casting machine to produce rectangular billets in a compatible mode, and the method comprises the steps of adjusting a crystallizer opening, optimizing crystallizer foot rollers, transforming cooling water strips, adjusting the height of a flame cutting machine and adjusting a dummy ingot structure. The specific adjusting method comprises the following steps: adjusting the opening part of the crystallizer: adjusting the aperture of a water jacket in the crystallizer from 160mm * 160mm to 165mm * 225mm, and synchronously adjusting the size of a copper plate at the opening part at the same time; the foot rollers of the crystallizer are optimized, specifically, the two rows of foot rollers are surrounded into four faces, and a 165 mm * 225 mm channel is formed; the zero-section water strip and the first-section water strip are adjusted, and the long face and the wide face of the rectangular blank are covered with the zero-section water strip and the first-section water strip; adjusting the height of the flame cutting machine: upwards moving or downwards adjusting the height of the flame cutting machine by using a connecting rod and a flame cutting gun bracket; and a dummy bar structure is adjusted, specifically, a dummy bar head is adjusted to be 165 mm * 225 mm from 160 mm * 160 mm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of iron and steel smelting technology, specifically to an adjustment system and method for a square billet continuous casting machine compatible with the production of rectangular billets. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, the global steel market has generally shown a downward trend. Traditional construction steel products have seen their profit margins continuously squeezed and even approach zero due to intensified market competition. Steel companies urgently need to adjust their product structure to maintain profit levels. Market research has found that there is a stable market demand for specific specifications of rectangular billets, with an annual demand of approximately 100,000 tons. Furthermore, due to the differentiated needs of downstream applications, this specification of product possesses high added value and profit margins, making it one of the important directions for steel companies to optimize their product structure.

[0003] However, steel companies currently face a significant mismatch between capacity and equipment in rectangular billet production: on the one hand, the annual demand for rectangular billets is mismatched with the existing steelmaking capacity, and relying solely on rectangular billet production cannot fully absorb the steelmaking capacity; it is necessary to simultaneously retain traditional billet production, such as square billets, to balance capacity utilization. On the other hand, the existing continuous casting equipment of these companies is only equipped with one dedicated square billet continuous casting machine. If a new dedicated rectangular billet continuous casting machine were to be built specifically for rectangular billet production, it would not only require a high initial investment but also carry the risks of a long investment recovery period and low long-term equipment utilization due to fluctuations in rectangular billet demand, resulting in poor economic efficiency and practicality. Therefore, developing a compatible continuous casting machine that can handle both square and rectangular billet production has become a key requirement for resolving the above contradictions and optimizing the product structure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an adjustment system and method for a billet continuous casting machine that is compatible with the production of rectangular billets, in order to solve the problem that due to the diversification of market demand, billets and rectangular billets need to be produced on demand, and existing billet continuous casting machines cannot meet the conditions for producing rectangular billets, and purchasing new equipment is costly and requires a large investment, resulting in insufficient capacity flexibility for enterprises.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the basic solution provided by this invention is as follows: an adjustment system for a square billet continuous casting machine compatible with the production of rectangular billets, comprising a crystallizer orifice assembly, a cooling water unit, and a flame cutting machine adjustment mechanism. The crystallizer orifice assembly includes an inner water jacket and an orifice copper plate, the orifice copper plate being located outside the inner water jacket and bolted to the inner water jacket. The cooling water unit includes a zero-segment cooling assembly and a first-segment cooling assembly. The flame cutting machine height adjustment mechanism includes a flame cutting machine carriage, a flame cutting machine clamping arm, and a flame cutting torch. The flame cutting machine carriage is located on one side of the flame cutting machine clamping arm, the flame cutting machine clamping arm is provided with a flame cutting torch bracket for adjusting the height of the flame cutting torch, the flame cutting machine clamping arm is provided with a connecting rod, the connecting rod being located on one side of the flame cutting machine carriage, and screw adjustment components being provided at both ends of the connecting rod.

[0006] The working principle of this invention is as follows: the system achieves rapid and compatible production from square billets to rectangular billets through the coordinated adjustment of three core components. The crystallizer orifice assembly is the foundation of forming. By replacing or adjusting the copper plate at the orifice, which is bolted to the inner water jacket, the shape and size of the crystallizer cavity are changed, thereby adjusting the original 160mm square billet cross-section to a 165mm*225mm rectangular billet cross-section. The cooling water unit is adapted accordingly. Its zero-segment and first-segment cooling components, by adjusting the nozzle layout and water volume, ensure that the cooling water can uniformly and efficiently cover the newly added wide and narrow faces of the rectangular billet, optimizing its solidification process. Finally, the flame cutting machine adjustment mechanism drives the clamping arm to move as a whole through the flame cutting machine carriage and connecting rod, and uses the flame cutting gun bracket on the clamping arm for height fine-tuning, so that the flame cutting gun position is precisely aligned with the increased rectangular billet cross-section, completing the fixed-length cutting.

[0007] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: it provides a modular, low-cost, and compatible retrofit solution that eliminates the need to replace the entire continuous casting machine. Production sections can be quickly switched simply by adjusting key components, effectively improving equipment flexibility and saving investment costs. The crystallizer inlet uses bolt connections for easy and quick replacement and adjustment; the zoned and precise cooling system ensures the casting quality of rectangular billets; and the flexible height adjustment mechanism of the fire cutter ensures the accuracy and reliability of cutting. The entire system works synergistically to successfully achieve the goal of efficiently and stably producing high-quality rectangular billets on a billet continuous casting machine.

[0008] Option 2, a preferred option of the basic scheme, includes four sets of water jets, each set consisting of two rows of double nozzles and two rows of single nozzles, with the two rows of double nozzles positioned above the single nozzles. By enhancing cooling intensity in the upper region and ensuring uniform coverage in the lower region, a gradient cooling from strong to gentle is achieved during the initial solidification of the rectangular billet, effectively reducing thermal stress on the billet surface and preventing crack formation.

[0009] Option 3, a preferred option of the basic scheme, consists of a cooling assembly composed of a single drainage bar (II) with several nozzles (I) on it. By rationally arranging several nozzles on the single drainage bar (II), uniform and gentle secondary cooling can be provided to the rectangular billet shell that has completed its initial solidification, avoiding quality defects in the cast billet caused by excessive or uneven cooling.

[0010] Option 4: A method for adjusting a square billet continuous casting machine to produce rectangular billets, characterized by adjusting the crystallizer inlet, optimizing the crystallizer foot rollers, modifying the cooling water bars, adjusting the height of the fire cutter, and adjusting the ingot dummy bar structure. The specific adjustment methods are as follows: Adjust the crystallizer opening: Adjust the diameter of the water jacket hole inside the crystallizer from 160mm*160mm to 165mm*225mm, and simultaneously adjust the size of the copper plate at the opening. Optimize the crystallizer foot rollers: Arrange the double-row foot rollers on all four sides to form a 165mm*225mm channel; Modify the cooling water strips: Adjust the zero-segment and first-segment water strips to cover the length and width of the rectangular billet; Adjusting the height of the flame cutter: Use the connecting rod and flame cutter holder to move the flame cutter up or down to adjust the height of the flame cutter; Adjust the ingot derrick structure: Change the ingot derrick head from 160mm*160mm to 165mm*225mm.

[0011] Working Principle: The core principle of this adjustment method is to systematically and adaptably modify the five key aspects of continuous casting machine: solidification, guidance and support, cooling, cutting, and initial traction, to achieve cross-sectional compatibility from square billets to rectangular billets. By adjusting the crystallizer opening, the cavity formed by the inner water jacket orifice and the opening copper plate is changed from a 160mm square billet to a 165mm×225mm rectangular billet, fundamentally altering the solidification shape of the molten steel. The crystallizer foot rollers are optimized to form a channel that perfectly matches the new billet shape, providing stable and reliable clamping and guidance for the initial billet shell and preventing deformation. In the secondary cooling zone, the zero-section and first-section cooling water strips are modified so that the nozzle layout and cooling intensity can evenly cover the length and width of the rectangular billet, ensuring uniform thickness of the billet shell. The height of the flame cutter is adjusted, and the flame cutter is precisely positioned through the connecting rod and bracket mechanism, allowing it to accurately cut the increased rectangular billet cross-section. The dummy bar structure is adjusted so that the dummy bar head size matches the new rectangular billet cross-section, ensuring that the new billet can be smoothly supported and pulled up during casting.

[0012] Beneficial Effects: By adopting the adjustment method, the existing square billet continuous casting machine can be expanded to produce rectangular billets with lower modification costs and shorter downtime, improving the equipment's flexibility and market competitiveness. This method does not involve a complete equipment replacement, but rather targeted and coordinated modifications to five key components. Through a series of adaptability adjustments, the cross-sectional specifications can be converted, further ensuring the forming quality, cooling uniformity, and cutting accuracy of the rectangular billets during production. This results in the stable production of high-quality rectangular billet products, effectively meeting market demand for multi-specification products.

[0013] Option 5, an optimal choice from Option 4, modifies the cooling water strip by adjusting the nozzles on each section from 50mm to 30mm. By increasing the nozzle spacing from 50mm to 30mm, the number of nozzles and cooling points per unit area is increased, allowing the cooling water to evenly and densely cover the surface of the rectangular billet, effectively eliminating localized cooling blind spots.

[0014] Option Six, an optimal choice from Option Four, involves adjusting the height of the flame cutting machine as follows: Loosen the locking bolts on the flame cutting torch bracket, and rotate the adjusting screw on the bracket to raise the torch head height relative to the upper surface of the billet by 5mm-10mm, accommodating the increased cross-sectional height of the rectangular billet. Simply loosening and rotating the adjusting screw allows for precise and convenient adjustment of the flame cutting torch height within a 5mm-10mm range, ensuring that the flame cutting point maintains the optimal distance from the increased cross-section of the rectangular billet. Option 7, which is an optimal alternative to Option 4, optimizes the specific operation method of the crystallizer foot rollers as follows: replace the original foot rollers used for 160mm square billets with new foot rollers whose inner arc surface curvature radius is compatible with the outer arc surface of 165mm*225mm rectangular billets, so as to ensure stable support and guidance for the rectangular billets. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the crystallizer inlet component in an adjustment system and method for producing rectangular billets compatible with a square billet continuous casting machine according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the zero-segment cooling component in an adjustment system and method for producing rectangular billets compatible with a square billet continuous casting machine according to the present invention. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a cooling component in an adjustment system and method for producing rectangular billets compatible with a square billet continuous casting machine according to the present invention. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the fire-cutting machine adjustment mechanism in an adjustment system and method for producing rectangular billets compatible with a square billet continuous casting machine according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The present invention will be further described in detail below through specific embodiments: The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings of the instruction manual include: 1. Inner water jacket, 2. Copper plate at the mouth, 3. Fire cutting machine carriage, 4. Fire cutting machine clamp arm, 5. Fire cutting torch, 6. Fire cutting torch bracket, 7. Connecting rod, 8. Water strip one, 9. Double nozzle, 10. Single nozzle, 11. Water strip two, 12. Nozzle one, 13. Screw adjustment component.

[0017] Example 1 like Figures 1 to 4The following describes an adjustment system for a square billet continuous casting machine compatible with the production of rectangular billets: a crystallizer inlet assembly, a cooling water unit, and a flame cutter adjustment mechanism. The crystallizer inlet assembly includes an inner water jacket 1 and an inlet copper plate 2, with the inlet copper plate 2 located outside the inner water jacket 1 and bolted to it. The cooling water unit includes a zero-stage cooling assembly and a first-stage cooling assembly. The zero-stage cooling assembly includes four sets of water jets 8, each set consisting of two rows of double nozzles 9 and two rows of single nozzles 10. The nozzle 9 is located above the single nozzle 10. A cooling component consists of a single drain strip 11. Several nozzles 12 are provided on the single drain strip 11. The flame cutting machine adjustment mechanism includes a flame cutting machine carriage 3, a flame cutting machine clamping arm 4, and a flame cutting gun 5. The flame cutting machine carriage 3 is located on one side of the flame cutting machine clamping arm 4. The flame cutting machine clamping arm 4 is provided with a flame cutting gun bracket 6 for adjusting the height of the flame cutting gun 5. A connecting rod 7 is provided on the flame cutting machine clamping arm 4. The connecting rod 7 is located on one side of the flame cutting machine carriage 3. Screw adjusting parts 13 are provided at both ends of the connecting rod 7.

[0018] The implementation method of this embodiment is as follows: When the adjustment system for producing rectangular billets is implemented, the crystallizer inlet assembly adopts a structure in which the inner water jacket 1 and the outer copper plate 2 are connected by bolts. The cooling water unit includes a zero-stage cooling assembly and a first-stage cooling assembly. The zero-stage cooling assembly consists of four sets of water bars 8. Each set of water bars 8 is equipped with two rows of double nozzles 9 located above and two rows of single nozzles 10 located below. The first-stage cooling assembly consists of a single row of water bars 11. Several nozzles 12 are mounted on the single row of water bars 11. In the flame cutting machine adjustment mechanism, the flame cutting machine carriage 3 is located on one side of the flame cutting machine clamping arm 4. The flame cutting machine clamping arm 4 is equipped with a flame cutting gun bracket 6 for adjusting the height of the flame cutting gun 5. A connecting rod 7 is also provided on the flame cutting machine clamping arm 4 on one side of the flame cutting machine carriage 3. Screw adjusting parts 13 are configured at both ends of the connecting rod 7. The height of the connecting rod 7 is adjusted by using the screw adjusting parts 13.

[0019] Example 2 like Figures 1 to 4 The following describes an adjustment method for a square billet continuous casting machine compatible with the production of rectangular billets. The method includes adjusting the crystallizer inlet, optimizing the crystallizer foot rollers, modifying the cooling water bars, adjusting the height of the heat cutter, and adjusting the dummy bar structure. The specific adjustment methods are as follows: Adjust the crystallizer opening: Adjust the diameter of the water jacket 1 inside the crystallizer from 160mm*160mm to 165mm*225mm, and simultaneously adjust the size of the copper plate 2 at the opening. Optimize the crystallizer foot rollers: Arrange the double-row foot rollers in a four-sided manner to form a 165mm*225mm channel. Replace the original foot rollers used for 160mm square billets with new foot rollers whose inner arc surface curvature radius is adapted to the outer arc surface of 165mm*225mm rectangular billets to ensure stable support and guidance for the rectangular billets. Modify the cooling water strips: Adjust the zero-segment and first-segment water strips to cover the length and width of the rectangular blank, and adjust the nozzles on each segment of the water strip from 50mm to 30mm; Adjusting the height of the fire cutting machine: Using the connecting rod 7 and the fire cutting gun bracket 6, the height of the fire cutting machine and the fire cutting gun 5 can be adjusted up or down. Loosen the locking bolts on the fire cutting gun bracket 6, and by rotating the adjusting screw on the bracket, the height of the fire cutting gun head 5 can be adjusted by 5mm-10mm relative to the upper surface of the billet to accommodate the increased cross-sectional height of the rectangular billet. Adjust the ingot derrick structure: Change the ingot derrick head from 160mm*160mm to 165mm*225mm.

[0020] The implementation method of this embodiment is as follows: First, adjust the crystallizer inlet, changing the diameter of the water jacket 1 inside the crystallizer from 160mm x 160mm to 165mm x 225mm, while simultaneously adjusting the size of the copper plate 2 at the inlet. Second, optimize the crystallizer foot rollers by arranging the double-row foot rollers around four sides to form a 165mm x 225mm channel. Replace the original foot rollers used for 160mm square billets with new foot rollers whose inner arc radius of curvature matches the outer arc surface of 165mm x 225mm rectangular billets, ensuring stable support and guidance for the rectangular billets. Next, modify the cooling water bars, adjusting the zero-segment and first-segment water bars to cover the rectangular billets. The length and width of the billet are adjusted, and the nozzles on each water bar are adjusted from 50mm to 30mm. Then, the height of the fire cutting machine is adjusted. The height of the fire cutting machine and the fire cutting gun 5 are moved up or down by using the connecting rod 7 and the fire cutting gun bracket 6. In specific operation, the locking bolts on the fire cutting gun bracket 6 are loosened, and the adjusting screw on the bracket is rotated to adjust the height of the gun head of the fire cutting gun 5 by 5mm-10mm relative to the upper surface of the billet to adapt to the increased cross-sectional height of the rectangular billet. Finally, the ingot dredger structure is adjusted, and the ingot dredger head is changed from 160mm-160mm to 165mm-225mm.

[0021] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention, and common knowledge regarding specific structures and characteristics is not elaborated upon here. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the structure of the present invention, and these should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention. These modifications and improvements will not affect the effectiveness of the present invention or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application should be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. An adjustment system for a square billet continuous casting machine compatible with the production of rectangular billets, characterized in that, The equipment includes a crystallizer inlet assembly, a cooling water unit, and a fire-cutting machine adjustment mechanism. The crystallizer inlet assembly includes an inner water jacket (1) and an inlet copper plate (2). The inlet copper plate (2) is located outside the inner water jacket (1) and is bolted to the inner water jacket (1). The cooling water unit includes a zero-segment cooling assembly and a first-segment cooling assembly. The fire-cutting machine adjustment mechanism includes a fire-cutting machine carriage (3), a fire-cutting machine clamping arm (4), and a fire-cutting gun (5). The fire-cutting machine carriage (3) is located on one side of the fire-cutting machine clamping arm (4). The fire-cutting machine clamping arm (4) is provided with a fire-cutting gun bracket (6) for adjusting the height of the fire-cutting gun (5). The fire-cutting machine clamping arm (4) is provided with a connecting rod (7). The connecting rod (7) is located on one side of the fire-cutting machine carriage (3). The connecting rod (7) is provided with screw adjustment components (13) at both ends.

2. The adjustment system for a square billet continuous casting machine compatible with the production of rectangular billets according to claim 1, characterized in that, The zero-segment cooling assembly includes four sets of water strips (8), each set of water strips (8) consists of two rows of double nozzles (9) and two rows of single nozzles (10), with the two rows of double nozzles (9) located above the single nozzles (10).

3. The adjustment system for a square billet continuous casting machine compatible with the production of rectangular billets according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling assembly consists of a single drain strip (11) and a plurality of nozzles (12) are provided on the single drain strip (11).

4. A method for adjusting a square billet continuous casting machine to produce rectangular billets, characterized in that, This includes adjusting the crystallizer inlet, optimizing the crystallizer foot rollers, modifying the cooling water bars, adjusting the height of the fire cutter, and adjusting the ingot derrick structure. The specific adjustment methods are as follows: Adjust the opening of the crystallizer: Adjust the diameter of the water jacket (1) inside the crystallizer from 160mm*160mm to 165mm*225mm, and at the same time adjust the size of the copper plate (2) at the opening. Optimize the crystallizer foot rollers: Arrange the double-row foot rollers on all four sides to form a 165mm*225mm channel; Modify the cooling water strips: Adjust the zero-segment and first-segment water strips to cover the length and width of the rectangular billet; Adjusting the height of the fire cutter: Use the connecting rod (7) and the fire cutter holder (6) to move the fire cutter and fire cutter (5) up or down; Adjust the ingot derrick structure: Change the ingot derrick head from 160mm*160mm to 165mm*225mm.

5. The adjustment method for a square billet continuous casting machine compatible with the production of rectangular billets according to claim 4, characterized in that, During the modification of the cooling water strip, the nozzles on each section of the water strip were adjusted from 50mm to 30mm.

6. The adjustment method for a square billet continuous casting machine compatible with the production of rectangular billets according to claim 4, characterized in that, The specific operation method for adjusting the height of the fire cutting machine is as follows: loosen the locking bolt on the fire cutting gun bracket (6), and adjust the height of the fire cutting gun (5) relative to the upper surface of the billet by rotating the adjusting screw on the bracket, so as to adjust the height of the fire cutting gun (5) by 5mm-10mm relative to the upper surface of the billet, so as to adapt to the increased cross-sectional height of the rectangular billet.

7. The adjustment method for a square billet continuous casting machine compatible with the production of rectangular billets according to claim 4, characterized in that, The specific operation method for optimizing the crystallizer foot rollers is as follows: replace the original foot rollers used for 160mm square billets with foot rollers whose inner arc surface curvature radius is compatible with the outer arc surface of 165mm*225mm rectangular billets, so as to ensure stable support and guidance for the rectangular billets.

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